No room for ‘cold war mentality’ in China-Philippine relations: Wang Yi
- China’s top diplomat urges ‘good friend’ former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to continue constructive role in bilateral ties
- Wang also urges the two sides not to lose momentum after Xi-Marcos agreement to ‘appropriately manage’ South China Sea differences
Wang also urged the two sides not to lose momentum in their efforts to “appropriately manage differences” over the South China Sea, as agreed in January by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jnr.
“The two sides should … not allow maritime issues to hinder the overall development of bilateral relations, nor allow third parties to undermine the friendly relations between China and the Philippines, let alone allow the return of the cold war mentality that undermines regional peace and stability,” Wang said.
According to a transcript released by China’s foreign ministry, Wang described Arroyo as “a good friend and an old friend to the Chinese people”. He called on her to “continue to play a constructive role in a healthy development” in bilateral ties.
Arroyo, who served as president from 2001 to 2010, is the Philippine parliament’s senior deputy speaker and was in Beijing as leader of a youth delegation after taking part in last week’s Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan, southern China.